The first baseman hides the ball in his mitt and the pitcher walks up onto the mound hoping to get the runner on first to start leading off. The moment he does, the first baseman tags him out. It probably works once a decade and never past the third grade. My teams tried it many times over the years and we never quite pulled it off.

But after what the Lakers pulled off last night in a 108-102 win over the Hornets, we should all have renewed hope.

Late in the fourth, LA was clinging to a two-point lead. They lined up for an inbounds play on the HORNETS side of the floor. But they lined up all four of their guys along the free throw line making New Orleans think it was actually the LAKERS side of the floor. As a result, Kobe Bryant got free for an easy dunk. The game was iced. And we now have further evidence why New Orleans is 21-41.

Here’s the video. I’m certain the Hornets watched this a few times after practice today.